Saturdays Football Round-Up

Chelsea made it to seventh heaven against Sunderland and Manchester United keapt up the pressure with a three nil victory over Burnley in another fascinating Saturday in the Premier Leugue.

Sunderland’s long trip to London ended in a seven two thumping by Chelsea, who confirmed their place at the top of the leuge. Nicolas Anelka, who returned from injury, grabbed the first goal on the 8th minute after some neat play from the Chelsea midifeld and a inch perfect through ball from Micheal Ballack. From here the flood gates opened, Malouda added to the score sheet on the seventeeth minute and a excellent first touch and finish from Ashley Cole made it three nil on the twenty second minute. Frank Lampard added another before the end of a dismal first half for the Black Cats. Four nil at half time and an intresting team talk from  Steve Bruce im sure. he second half suprisingly provided more goals than the first, with Sunderland adding to the massive goals tally. Ballack added to the total on the fifty second minute and then Sunderland finallay got in on the act with Bolo Zendens fifty sixth minute strike, a goal but still and embarassing scoreline for the Black Cats. it got alot worse as Anelka added another on the sixty fifth minute and Lampard got his second on the nineeeth minute. However Sunderland perservied after a horrid afternoon and Darren Bent scored in injury time with a close ranged finish typical of the striker. Sunderland got the last laugh in the game, however the joke was definatly on the Black Cats.

Rooney capped off a solid performance with a goal

Old Trafford witnessed Manchester United recover after the humilating defeat to Leeds in the FA Cup with a three nil victory over Burnley. The Clarets, with their newly appointed manager Brian Laws, were looking to press on after the controversial departure of Owen Coyle. However two goals in five minutes from Berbatov and Rooney ended the game half way through the second half. Mame Diof finished off the scoring in the ninety first minute, the Senegelse striker scoring on his debut for the Red Devils.

Elsewere in the leuge Roberto Mancini’s honeymoon period at Manchester City ended when he tasted his first defeat at the hands of Everton. Two nil the final scoreline with goals from Pienaar and a Louis Saha penalty. The talking point of the game came when Mancini substiuted Robinho on and then laer subbed him back off after the Brazilian failed to make an impact.

Liverpools headaches continued after their mid week dismisal from the FA Cup at the hands of Reading, the Reds only managed a one all draw with Stoke, an early second half goal from Kyrgiakos was equaled by Robert Huths ninetyeeth minute strike. Spurs stuttered in their chase for Champions Leuge football after a nil nil bore draw against strugglers Hull City. And in the final game of the day the focus was relegation as Wolves met Wigan at Mollineux. Wigan strolled away two nil winners with goals from McArthy and Charles N’Zogbia.

Charles N'Zogbia scored for Wigan

The title race is hotting up as Febuary approaches in the Premiership, Arsenal face a tough challenge at Bolton on Sunday as they look to keep the pressure on Chelsea and United.